Folding bed



2 Sheets--Sheel I 1 L. D. DOBBS FOLDING BED March 19, 1929.

Filed oct. 23,l 192s March 19, 1929. A 1 D. DoBBs FOLDING BED filedbot. 23, 192e 2 lSmeets-'Smm 2 4T-ramer@ Patented Mar. A19, 1929.

uNrrElD STATES LOYAL'D.` nomas,y oE MINNEAPOLIS, MtNNEso'rA7V AssieNoE Toy MINNEAPOLIS EED- DING COMPANY, E MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, A coRronArIoN 0E MINNESOTA.

EoLoiNe` BED.

Appncaiion mea oetpbver 23,1926.' sriai No. 143,543.

This invention relates to` improvements in folding beds of the type employing a bed frame pivoted adjacent oneend to a base andy adapted to swing from a normal inoperative upright positiomto. a substantiallyV horizontal operative position, for use. rlhe base upon which the bedy frame Yis pivotally mounted, is adapted to'be supported upon the floor, and provides a support for the bed frame, mattress and bedding, when the frame is folded or swung to its inoperative upright position, and, when the latter is loweredv to its operative position, the base provides a support for lthe head end of the bed frame only, the foot end of the framebeing supported upon suitable legs.` i

The supporting base of such a bed is usually made comparatively small to take up as little floor space as possible, when the` bed is in folded upright position. The base, however, must be of sufficient size to prevent it from tilting` or tipping forwardly, when the bed frame, including the mattress and bedding, is lowered to its operative position. This tendency toward tipping is caused by the center of gravity ofthe bed frame, mat tress and bedding being swung outwardly from over the center of the base, when the bed is lowered, and as a result of the spring mechanism, usually provided for counterbalancing theweight of the bed frame, etc. '.lo overcome this tipping tendency in beds of this type the base is provided with a board bearing on the floor usuallyobtained by eX- y tending one side of the base outwardly toward the foot-end of the bed. Such'a base obviously' takes up considerable room on the floor and is particularly noticeable when the bed frame is raised to an upright position 40 and it is therefore desirable to provide a comparatively small or narrow base fora fold ing bed and at the same time eliminate any danger of thev base tipping when thekbed frame is lowered to a horizontal position.

The object therefore of this inventionis to provide means operable by movementof the pivotally mounted bed frame, tok positively prevent the base from tipping or tilting, when the bed isA being lowered to its operative position.

A furtherv and "ore specific objectis to provide suchla bed including a base having an extension frame slidablyzconnected there' with at the foot end thereof and engaging the floor, and operatively connected to the bed frame whereby, when the bed frame is lowered to its operative position, the enten-V sion frame, supporting the foot end of theV base, will automatically/'be moved in a direction toward the foot-end of the bed to increase the effective supporting length. of the base to prevent it from-tipping; and, when the bed frame isreturned to its normal 'upright position, the extension frame will automatically be retracted or returned to its normalA position. I

.A further object is to provide a folding bed including a baserhaving a bed frame pivotally mountedthereon, the head end of the base being supported upon cast-ers and the foot end thereof being supported upon similar casters mounted in an extension frame slidably mounted in runways provided in the lower portion of the base; and a simple link mechanism connecting Vthe extension frame with the bed frame whereby, when the bed frame is in upright inoperative position,-

the extension `frame will be retracted to render the base comparatively small 'in size, and

when t-he bed is lowered to an operative position, the extension frame'will be extended ir. a ,direction lengthwise of thefbed frame,

thereby increasingthe effective supporting lengt-h or size of the base to the extent that the base'cannotjtilt forwardly when the bed frame and contents are lowered'to an operative position. f y i' Other objects of the invention will appear from the followingk description and the accompanying drawingsl and will be pointed out in the annexed claims. v

ln the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed. a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but itisto be understood that the invention is 'not confined to the exact features shown as lvarious changesv 'may be ymade within the `scope of the claims which follow, In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing a folding bed in folded position and with the invention embodied therein, the dotted ylinesindicating the positions of the bed frame and the extension vframe, when the bed is in unfoldedposition; f

j Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the Ll il CTL base showing the runways in the lower portion thereof in which the extension frame is slidably mounted;

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the eX- tension frame extended;

Figure 4.- is a sectional plan view on the line 4 4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view on the line 5 5 of Figure 3.

rlhe novel bod featured in this invention comprises a. base 6 having its head end supported upon casters as shown in Figure 1. A bed fra-me 8 is pivoted at one end to the base 6 and comprises the usual spring fabric 9 adapted to support the .n'iattress and bedding 1t), indica ed. in dotted lines in Figure 1. Legs 11 are pivotally connected to the foot end of the bed frame 8 by means of links 12 and 13. The pivotal connections of the legs 11 with the bed frame 8 are such to permit the legs to assume the folded position shown in Figure 1, when the bed 'frame is in an upright inoperative position, and when the frame is lowered to its operative position, shown in dotted lines, the legs 11 will be swung outwardly to a position at right angles to the bed frame to provide a. support for the foot end of the frame.

Barrels 14 are provided upon the base 6 at each side thereof, and each barrel provided with a forked lug" 15 to which the bed frame 8 is pivotally mounted by pins 16, passing through the lugs 15 and apertures provided in castings 17, secured to the side 3 l rails of the bed frame. Plungers 18 are pivotally connected to each casting` 17 and have their lower ends engaging compression springs 19 mounted in the barrels 14 as shown in Figure 1. These barrels, springs and plungers function to counterbalance the weight of the bed frame and bedding, when the bed frame is lowered to its operative position, shown in dotted lines in Figure l. The details of construction and operation of the above mentioned spring mechanism, is shown and described in detailv in the prior pending application of John M. Thompson, Serial #67,852, filed Nov. 9, 1925.

The supporting base of a folding bed of this type is usually made comparatively small so as to take up as little floor space as possible, when the bed is in folded inoperative position. The base, however, must be of sufficient size to prevent it from tilting or tipping forwardly, when the bed frame, includ ing the mattress and bedding, is lowered to its operative position. rilhis tendency toward tipping` is usually caused by the center of gravity of the bed frime, mattress and bedding being swung outwardly from over the center of the base when the bed is lowered, and further, as a result of the spring mechanism provide-d for counterbalancing the weight of thel bed frame. To overcome this tendency toward tipping, the casters at the head end of the 'frame 6 and the castersor supporting members engaging the floor at the foot end of thev base, must usually be spaced a considerable distance from one another. rlhe means provided for thus preventing the bed from tipping consists of movably connecting the casters 21 with the supporting base 6. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, itwill be noted that the casters 21 are mounted in an extension frame 22 sli'dably engaged with the base 6. Anti-friction rollers 23 are mounted at the head end of the extension frame 22 adapted to roll in runways 24 provided in the lower portion of the base 6. Similar antifriction rollers 25 are mounted in forked arms 26 on the base 6 adapted to engage the exten-. sion frame 22, as particularly shown 1n F1gure 3.

The means provided for moving the eXtension frame 22 from its retracted position shown in Figure 2, to its extended positionV shown in Figure 3, consists of a link mecha.- nism pivotally connecting the frame 22 with the bed frame 8. rllhis link mechanism includes a pair of links 27 pivotally connected at one end to the foot end of the extensionframe 22. Link members 28 aresimilarly connected at one end to the base 6 and have their opposite ends pivotally connected with the links 2? intermediate the ends thereof, by means of pivot pins 29. Each link 27 is provided with. an offset end portion 31 terminally pivotally connected with connecting bars 32 having pivotal connections with the bed frame 8 by means of pivots 33. Tlie'relative lengths of the links, link members and connecting' bars', and their connect-ions with the extension. frame, base and bed frame, are such that when thebedframe 8 is in its folded upright position, the extension frame 22 in which the casters 21 are mounted, will be retracted or moved into the base 6 to the position shown in full lines in Figures 1 and 2. When the bed frame S is lowered to substantially a horizontal position, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1 and full line in Figure 3, the link mechanisinwill operate to move the extension frame 22 outwardly from the base 6 in a direction toward the foot end of the bed, thereby increasing the distance between the casters 7 and21 to the extent that the base cannot tip or tilt forwardly when the bed frame is lowered to its operative position.

By the en'ualoyment4 of thisnovel exten-v sion frame in connection with the supporting base 6, the size of the base, in direction lengthwise of the bed, will be reduced to a minimum when the bed is in its foldedy inoperative position. The movement of the casters 21 and the extension frame 22 is suchthat .as the bed frame 8 is being lowered to its operative position, the casters 21 will simultaneously be -moved in a direction toward the foot end of the bed, thereby positively preventing the i eo leed` from tilting or 'tipping' forwardly, as frequently occurs'with beds of thisvv type of ordinary construction, unless` the vsupporting f position and adapted to he swung to a suh- Vstantially horizontal operative position, an

extension frame having means by which it is slidably Connected with said base for support ing the/foot end thereof and adapted torbe extended therefrom toincrease the length of the bassin a direction towards the foot end ofthe hed, a link pivotally .connecte'drat one end to said extension frame, a second `link member pivotally connected yat one end' to the base and having its other end terminally pivotally connected with said Vfirst-menticned link, and a third link pivotally connected with the first mentioned link and with the. hedfraine, to operate said first link as a lever., said links being arranged to move 'said-extension frame lto its extended position, when said bed frame is lowered, and to return they same to its retracted position when saidbed frame' is raised. i l, v

2. A devicel of the class described including a base havingits head end supported upon a floor, a' hed frame pivoted adj acentonev end to said base, runways in the l-ower portion of the base arranged in a direction lengthwise of the bed, an extension frame slidably mounted in said runways and providing a support for the foot end of the base, casters on said eX- tension frame engaging the floor, a link pivoted at one end to said extension frame, 'a inember. pivoted at one end to the base and having its other end pivotally connected with said link intermediate the ends thereof, and a con-v necting har pivoted at'one end to said bed frame and having its other end terminally Y pivotally connected with said link at the freer' end thereof, and adapted to operate said link and member to move said extension frame to its extended position when said bed frame is lowered, and to return it to its normal retracted position, when the bed frame israised' to an upright position. y

3. A device of the class described including a base having its head end supported upon a floor, a hed frame'pivoted adjacent one end to said base, runways in the lower portion of the base arranged in a direction lengthwise of the bed, an extension fraine-slidaloly mounted in said runways and providing a support for the foot end of the base, casters on said extension frame engaging the floor, links piv- `otedat one end to said extension frame, second link i'nenib'ers pivoted at one end tothe base and having Jtheir other ends vpivotally connected witli-said first mentioned linksfinftermediate the ends thereof, each of said first vmentioned links having an offset end, and conne'cting barspivoted at one end to said bed yframe and havingl their other ends terminally pivotally connected with said offset ends and `adapted to operate said links Vand members to 'move said extension frame to its extended position when said'be'd frame is lowered, and v to return it to its Vnormal retracted, position,

when thehed frame is raised to an uprightr position. Y v 4. A folding bed comprising a base', having an extension provided with means by whicliit is horizontally slidablethereon forwardly toward the foot end of the hed, a bed frame pivoted 'to the base, a. link pivoted to the base, a

second link pivoted to the slidahle extension,

said links pivoted together, said second link having an extension rearwardly of its pivotal connection with the first link', and a third link pivoted to said frame and to the extension of the second link, and arranged to operate the second4 link as a lever to translate the extension forwardly. 1

5. A folding 1ned comprising a base having an extension provided with ineansiby which it is horizontally slidahle thereon forwardly toward the foot end of the bed, a bed frame pivoted tothe base, a link pivoted to the base, a secondlink pivoted to the slidahle extension,

slidahle 'fsaid links pivoted together ata point inter" Lmediate their pivotal! connection with base and extension, said secondv link having an eX- tension rearwardly of its pivotal connection withthe first link, and ay third link pivoted to said frame and to the extension of the second link, and arrangedto operate the second link as a lever to translate' the slidable eX- tension forwardly. y

6. `A folding bed comprising a base having anextension provided with means by which i itis horizontally slidable upon the hase forwardly toward the foot end of the bed, the

lbed frame pivoted to the base, a link pivoted to the base, a second link pivoted at one end to the slidalolev yextension forwardly of the pivotal connection of the first link, said second link being pivoted to said first link, and a third link pivoted to said franie and to said secondv link rearwardly of the link-connecting pivotal point.

i 7. A folding` bed comprising a hase having anv extension provided with means by which it is horizontally slidable upon the base forwardly toward the foot end of the hed, the bed frame pivoted to the base, a ,link pivoted l' to the base, a second link pivoted at onel end tothe slidable extension forwardly of the pivot of the first link, said second link being Linterinediately pivoted to said first link at a Vpoint intermediate the other pivots, and a third link pivoted to said frame and to said second link rearwardly of the link-connecting,l pivotal point,

8. A folding bed comprising a base, having an extension provided with means by which it is slidable thereon, forwardly toward the foot end of the bed, a bed frame pivoted to said base, a link pivoted to the base, a second link pivoted to the slidable extension forwardly of the pivot of the first link, and fulcrnming upon the first mentioned link, and a third link pivoted to said frame and to the second link at one side of the fiilcrum point.

9. A folding bed comprising a base, having):` an extension provided with means by which it is horizontally slidable thereon forwardly toward the foot end of the bed, a bed frame pivoted to the base, a pair of links, respectiveH ly only connected to base and slidable eXtension, and pivotally connected together above the base, and a link pivoted only to the frame and to one of the links at apoint at one side of the connecting pivot 'of the links, the arrangement being such that the last mentioned link acts on the link to which it is connected, to translate the slidable base eX- tension in a forward direction as the bed frame is swung downwardly.,

l0. A folding bed comprising a base having an extension provided with. means by which it is horizontally slidable thereon forwardly toward the foot end of the bed, a bed framev pivoted to the base, a pair of links, respectively only connected to base and slidable extension, and pivotally connected together above the base, and a link pivoted only to the frame and toone of the links at a point at one side of the connecting pivot of the links, the arrangement being such that the last mentioned link acts Vto translate the slidable base extension in a forward direction as the and lever pivoted together at a point above and intermediate of the first mentioned pivotal points, a third .link pivoted'to the frame and to that arm of said lever lying rearwardly of the connecting pivot for the link and lever, said last mentioned link lying above the first mentioned links and arranged to rock the lever about the link-Connecting pivot, to advance the base extension as the` frame is drawn downwardly, the initial thrust of the last link with respect to the .levers beingl generally ina direction between the first mentioned pivotal points of the link and lever, the arrangement being such that when the extension reaches its forward limit of translation the last mentioned link assumes a substantially vertical position.

In witness whereof, I havehereunto set my hand this 20th dayof October 1926. n

d LoYAL n. Dones. 

